Door latch mechanism



P 7, 1954 R. l. SCHONITZER 2,688,509

noon LATCH MECHANISM Filed March 6, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. 4 E0901 PH I SKA UNI 725? p 1954 R. SCHONITZER 2,688,509

DOOR LATCH MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 6, 1951 Patented Sept. 7, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to door control mechanisms suited for use in automotive vehicle bodies and, more particularly, to improved door latch apparatus incorporating means for dampening or deadening the sound produced when the door latch apparatus is operated.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be utilized with door control mechanisms of many difierent kinds. However, inasmuch as the door control mechanisms shown in the drawings are designed for use with doors of automotive bodies, the discussion which follows will be directed to installations of this sort. For convenience, the door control mechanisms shown in the drawings, with the aid of which the features of the invention are illustrated, are of two types that are shown, described and claimed in application Serial No. 76,023, filed February 12, 1949, for Door Control Mechanism, now Patent No. 2,665,156 granted January 5, 1954, and in application Serial No. 131,296, filed December 6, 1949, for Door Control Mechanism, now Patent No. 2,665,159 granted January 5, 1954, both in the name of Edwin L. Allen and assigned to the owner of the present application.

The door control mechanisms illustrated herein are so constructed that the door is held in closed position by a latch member and a keeper, detent means being employed to releasably retain the latch member in door-latched position when the door is closed. When this type of door control mechanism is actuated for the purpose of opening the door, the detent means release the latch member, permitting it to move into unlatched position concurrently with the opening of the door. The latch member normally remains in unlatched position until the door is closed, whereupon the latch member is moved to latched position by the act of closing the door.

The present invention, as described hereinafter and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is incorporated in door control mechanisms including these features.

In such door control mechanisms, as in many other door control mechanisms of quite difierent types, movement of the latch member between one and the other of its two extreme positions is accompanied by mechanically induced noises that some consider to be objectionable. Such noises include, for example, the click or clicks produced as the latch member moves from door-unlatched into door-latched position. Like noises may be produced as the latch member moves from door-latched to door-unlatched position. Such noises are not objectionable under all circumstances, as, for example, in trucks; but in a passenger automobile it is desirable that movement of the door from its open to its closed position, or vice versa, be accompanied by a minimun of mechanically induced noises.

It is an object of the present invention to provide door control mechanisms in which noises produced by operation of the latch mechanism are dampened or deadened. It is another object of the invention to provide door control mechanisms in which noise-deadening means are incorporated without undue complication of the structure and without material impairment of the strength of the component parts of the door control mechanism. It is a further object of the invention to provide a noise-deadened door control mechanism that is sturdy, that will have a long and trouble-free service life, and that is adapted to economical mass production.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description which follows and from the accompanying drawings, in

which each of the figures shows an elevation looking toward the operating face of a noisedeadened door control mechanism, the same being shown as detached from the door in which it is incorporated and without certain of the parts, such as the locking mechanism, which may be used therewith.

Figure 1 shows in door-unlatched position a latching mechanism of the general type disclosed in said Patent No. 2,665,156 in which have been incorporated the sound-deadening means of the present invention, the same representing one embodiment of the invention. Figures 2 and 3 are views similar to Figure 1 showing the same latching mechanism in secondary-latched and fully-latched position, respectively. Figures 4 and 5 are fragmentary views showing modifications of the structure illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive. Figure 6 shows in door-latched position a door-latching mechanism of a kind disclosed in Patent No. 2,665,159, such doorlatching mechanism incorporating means for deadening certain of the sounds produced as the door is moved from open to closed position. Figures '7 and 8 show in fully-latched and secondary-latched positions, respectively, a modified form of sound-deadened latching mechanism ofthe general type shown in Figure 6.

In each of the foregoing figures, the latching mechanism forms part of a door control mechanism intended to be mounted in a door structure, usually in such manner that the opposite or far side of door control mechanism as it appears in the drawings is located at the free edge wall of the door adjoining what may be called the cleavage plane. The latch member L, which is shown as taking the form of a bifurcated arm but which may be of any other suitable type, is mounted on the opposite or far side of the door control mechanism for pivotal movement between door-latched and door-unlatched positions. Mounted on the inside or near side of the door control mechanism but movable with latch member L is a plate-like latch element E. The door control mechanism further includes a detent member D adapted to block and hold latch element E in door-latched position. Detent member D is also used to limit movement of latch element E in unlatchingdirection.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the door control mechanism includes a portion I serving as a base plate. It is adapted for mounting in the free edge wall of the door in such manner that the face of the base plate appearing in Figures 1, 2 and 3 fronts toward the interior of the door. Base plate I has a portion 2 of the nature of a side flange extending toward the interior of the door. The mounting of base plate I .in the free edge wall of the door is accomplished-by means of bosses 3 provided with tapped openings for mounting screws. There are four such bosses in the baseplate of Figures 1 to 3, inclusive.

Rotatably supported in a suitable bearing in base plate I is a latch shaft 4 having secured to its outer or far end the bifurcated latch member L. Secured to the inner or near end of latch shaft 4'is the plate-like latch element E. When base plate I is mounted on the door with which the door control mechanism is to be used, latch member L is'disposed on the outside of the free edge wall of the door in a position to co-operate with a keeper pin (not shown) suitably located on .the door frame. Latch element E is of course disposed on the inside of the free edge wall of the door.

A spiral spring 5, shown in fragmentary fashion inFigures '1, 2 and 3, has its :inner end 5a secured to latch shaft 4, as by clinching such inner end .in a slot in the inner or near end of the shaft. Outer end 51) is anchored in a suitable aperture in side flange 2. Spiral spring 5 may be "protected by a cover disk (not shown) which likewise is clinched to the inner or near end of latch shaft 4. Latch element E, which has .a latching abutment 6, a limiting stop or abutment I circumferentially spaced therefrom, and, "between them, a secondary latching abutmenti8, is urged by spiral spring 5 toward door- .unlatched position; i. e., clockwise as seen in Figures 1 to :3, inclusive.

Pivotally mounted on a pin 9 carried by base plate I .is detent member D. Such detent memberiis generally L-shaped, having a transversely extending arm portion In and a longitudinally extending arm portion II. The latter has an edge flange IIa for engagement by an actuating member. Surrounding pin 9 and held in place by an enlarged head thereon is a detent spring I2 having its lower end I2a engaging edge flange .IsIa of longitudinally extending arm portion II and having its upper end I2b anchored ina suitable aperture in side flange 2 of base plate I. Spring I2 tends to urge detent member D toward latch-holding position; i. e., counterclockwise as seen in Figures l'to 3, inclusive.

The outer end of transverse arm :IU of detent member D is offset at I3. Such offset in effect provides a separate outer end portion I4 spaced farther away from base plate I than the main portion of transverse arm I0. Outer end portion I4 extends through an elongated guide slot Ida in side flange 2 of base plate I for movement in such guide slot. Transverse arm I!) of detent member D is provided as shown with a latchholding abutment I5 and, near the lower end of offset I3, with a lug-like stop portion, generally indicated at Illa havinga stop face It co-operating with latch element E to limit further movement of detent member D in latching direction when the parts are in secondary-latched and fully-latched positions.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 1; i. :e., in door-unlatched position, if the door is moved from open to closed position, latch member L strikes the keeper pin (not shown) on the door frame and swings in counterclockwise direction about the axis of shaft 4. At the same time, latch element E moves in counterclockwise direction by the same angular amount. As this happens, secondary latching abutment 8 on latch element E slides across latch-holding abutment I5 on detent member D, thus permitting the corner of latch-holding abutment I5 to drop down behind secondary latching abutment '8 under the action of spring I2. At this stage, stop face I6 on the lug-like stop portion Ilia on transverse arm II) of detent member D comes into contact with the top of limitingabutment 'I on latch element E, producing an audible click as the two parts impinge on each other.

From the intermediate position so attained, which is the secondary-latched position illus- .trated in Figure 2, continued movement of the door toward closing position brings about continued counterclockwise movement of latch member .L and latch element E. As this further movement takes place, the lug-like stop member on transverse arm II] of detent member D drops down behind'limiting abutment 7 on latch element E when latch-holding abutment I5 moves down into blocking relation with latching abutment .6 on element E. This movement into latched position (Figure 3) brings stop face I 6 sharply into contact with secondary latching abutment 8, such contact being accompanied by a second audible click. When the parts come to rest in the fully-latched position shown in lug-like stop member on which stop face It is formed. This may be done by providing such lug-like stop member with an angularly extending opening I], which conveniently may take the form of .a saw cut, so located as to produce arsomewhat resilient finger-like element .I8, having a free outer end, opposite those parts of latch element E with which stop face I6 comes into contact. As illustrated, the finger-like element I8 is narrow in relation to its length so that it has sufficient inherent resilience to dampen or deaden the noises induced as stop face |6 comes into contact with limiting abutment 1 and secondary latching abutment 8 on latching element E but not enough to interfere with proper positioning of latch-holding abutment l5 relative to full latching abutment 6 and secondary latching abutment 8.

If, as shown, opening |1 takes the form of a narrow saw cut it leaves a backing element l9 adjacent finger-like element I8. While it is not imperative that such a backing element be provided, such a backing element, if present, serves a useful function in that it is disposed to block movement of the outer or free end of resilient finger-like element l8 before the elastic limit of the metal is exceeded. The resilient finger-like element l8 will not take a permanent set if,'as is preferred, a backing element is provided to prevent movement thereof beyond the elastic limit of the metal.

Whether or not such a backing element be left or provided, the resilient finger-like element |8 acts to modulate mechanically induced noises of the kinds described, which, although not rendered inaudible, have a somewhat muffled sound that is unobjectionable.

It is not-necessary to the practice of the invention that an opening of the kind described be formed in the lug-like stop member at the bottom of offset IS in transverse arm 0 of detent member D; instead, as indicated in Figures 4 and 5, an opening may be formed in the latch element E back of those portions of the latch element that abut the stop face on the detent memher. In the modification shown in Figure 4, in which the latching abutment, the limitingabutment and the secondary latching adjustment on latch element E are respectively designated 26, 21 and 28, an opening 29, of the nature of a saw cut extending from right to left, may be incorporated in latch element E below the limiting abutment 21 and secondary latching abutment 28, thus forming a resilient finger-like element 30. The latter is closely backed by the main portion of latch element E with the result that inward movement of the right-hand or free end of finger-like element 30 under the impact of contact with the lug-like stop member on detent member D is limited to something less than that de ree of movement required to produce a permanent set.

In the form shown in Figure 5, the latching abutment, the limiting abutment and the secondary latching abutment are respectively designated 38, 34 and 35. In this case, an opening 36 of the nature of a saw cut is introduced into latching element E behind limiting abutment 34, such opening 36 extending from left to right across latch element E" to permit it to underlie both limiting abutment 34 and secondary latching abutment 85. A relatively resilient fingerlike element 31 is formed which is closely backed by the main portion of latch element E, thus preventin the development of a permanent set in resilient finger-like element 31 under the impact of contact with the lug-like stop member on detent member D.

In the modifications of Figures 4 and 5, the effect of providing the openings in the positions shown in the drawings is to dampen or deaden the noises produced as the detent members D and D and the latch elements E and E come into contact with each other during operation of the latch mechanism.

Figure 6 illustrates how similar sound-deadening means may be incorporated in a door control mechanism of the type shown, described and claimed in Allen Patent No. 2,665,159. Such mechanism includes a latch member L, a platelike latch element P, and a detent member M. In the case of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6, the sound-deadenin means is incorporated in latch element P rather than in detent member M, although, as will appear, it may 'be incorporated in the latter if desired.

A base plate portion 4| has a side flange portion 42 extending inwardly from the free edge wall of the door. Mounting bosses 43, two of which appear in Figure 6, are formed integrally with base plate 4|. Latch element L, bifurcated for co-operation with a keeper pin (not shown) on the door frame, is on the outside face of the free edge wall of the door. Latch element P and detent member M are on the inside face of the door control mechanism; i. e., on the side fronting toward the interior of the door.

Latch member L is attached to the far end of a latch shaft 44 mounted in a suitable bearing in' base plate 4|. At the near end of latch shaft 44 is a spiral sprin 45 that is shown in fragmentary fashion. The inner end 45a of spiral spring 45 is clinched in a slot in the near end of latch shaft 44. The outer end 45b of spiral spring 45 is anchored in a suitable aperture in side flange 42. The outermost convolution, designated 45c, appears only in part.

Carried by base plate 4| is a pin 46 provided with an enlarged head on which pin is pivotally mounted detent member M. Detent member M has a transverse arm 41 extending laterally toward side flange 42. Near the end of transverse arm 41 is an offset 48 providing a separate outer end portion 49 on transverse arm 41. Outer end portion 49 projects into and is guided for movement in a slot 49a in side flange 42. A lug-like stop member 50, against which stop lu 51 of latch element P strikes when the parts move into door-unlatched position depends from transverse arm 41 near the bottom of offset 48.

Detent member M is provided with a long-itudinally extending arm 5| extending both above and below transverse arm 41. Longitudinal arm 5| is provided with an edge flange 5| a for cooperation with a suitable actuating device. Midway of the downwardly extending part of longitudinal arm 5| of detent member M is a latchholding portion 52, the same being of the nature of a pawl. At the extreme lower end of the lower part of longitudinal arm 5| is a stop portion 53, which serves to limit movement of detent member M in latching direction when the parts move into full latched position (Figure 6). Surrounding pin 46 is a detent spring 54 one end of which, 54a, bears against outer convolution 450 of spiral spring 45 and the other end of which, 54b projects through a suitably located hole in offset 48 of transverse arm 41 of detent member M.

Latch element P is provided with a main latching tooth 55, a secondary latching tooth 56, an unlatching sto lug 51, and a full-latched stop portion 5111. When the parts are in door-unlatched position, which position is not illustrated, stop lug 51 on latch element P abuts against luglike stop member 50 on transverse arm 41 of detent member M. From this position, latch element P moves counterclockwise through secondary-latched position, likewise not illustrated, into the fully-latched position of Figure 6. Movement of latch element P into such fully-latched position is accompanied by a sound as the detent aesspoe stop portion 153 :strikes the stop portion 510' ion the periphery oi latch element 'P (Figure 6-) To mufile the :noise so :produced, an elongated opening Bllris formed inithe stop 51a of latch-element P in the indicated relation to the various other parts. Opening 58 may conveniently be punched out while element F is .being stamped out'of sheet stock, .after'which a short saw cut59 is made at the end of opening 58 adjacent the periphery oflatch element P. The effect-ofintroducing saw cut 59 is to leave .a resilient fingerlike element 60 which, at its outer free end, is closely backed by the main portion of :latch element P, as at 'Bl. As before, .the presence of means closely .backing the extreme outer end of the resilient finger-like element prevents the latter fromtaking a permanent set, this by precluding the :possibility that it :will be moved to an extent such that the elastic limit of the metal willwbe exceeded.

The embodiment of the :invention just-described contemplates dampening or deadening mechanically induced noise produced as the stop '53 at the extreme lower end of the lower part of longitudinal arm of detent member M comes into contact with the stop portion 5la on the latch element P. It is efiective in :muffling the sound produced as an .incident to final movement of latch element P and detent member M into fullylatched position. However, it is not particularly effective in suppressing the like noises, usually less objectionable in nature, which are produced as pawl-like latch-holding portion 52 moves be hind "secondary latching tooth 56. If it is desired to mufile the noises so produced, this may .be doneby means such as those illustrated .in the further "embodiment'of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8.

In this embodiment of the invention, which, in general, is similar to that of Figure 6, a detent member M co-acts with a latch element P. The latter has'a main latching tooth 65 and a secondary latching tooth 66. Back of themis formed an opening 61 located as shown in Figures 7 and 8. If, as ispreferred, opening-61 takes the form of a saw cut, the resilient finger-like element 68 that is formed back of :main latching tooth =65 and-secondary latching tooth 6G acts to mufile the mechanically induced sound produced as pawllike latch-holding portion 69 on detent :member M moves into position behind secondary latchingztooth 66'as seen in Figured.

In such case, to dampen or .deaden the :noise produced :as stop 70 at the extreme lower end 'of the :lower part of detent member .M' strikes the periphery of latch element P when the detent reaches the fully latched position :of Figure 7, an opening may be provided .in thelatchelement as indicated in Figure .6 or, alternatively an opening H of .thenature of a saw cut may be formed in detent member M, such opening-being located as shown in Figures 7 and 8. The resilient finger- .like element '12 which is produced in the latter case is closely backed by asecond finger-like element 13. The presence of the second finger-like element precludes a permanent set in the first as a result of movement beyond the point at which the elastic limit would be reached.

It is apparent that the above-described pro- .visions for dampening orzdeadening mechanically induced noises may be incorporated in other ways in door control mechanisms of the type-shown in the drawings and, by suitable'adaptation, in vari- IOUS other types of doorcontrol mechanisms. As is evident from Figures? and 8, a plurality of separate openings for -deadening rmechanicallyinduced :noises may :be ;provided in one and the same doorcontrolrmechanism-as, for example, in both the 'detent :member and the latch element. In other circumstances, a ,plurality of .openings may be introduced into either .to .theexclusiomof the other. If it is preferred to forego 'the :advantage of having a backing element for the purposes indicated, the opening :need not embody or take the form of :a saw cut, but may take any othenform so long:assound-deadening means are provided :adjacent the point where the noise is developed. Those skilled in the art will understand that by the application of what is herein disclosedit is possible to quiet mechanically induced sounds latching mechanisms of various types.

.It is intended that the patent shall cover, by summarization :in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

I claim:

1. A latch mechanism including a frame structure, a latch member pivotally supported on said frame structure, a latch element member supported for movement withsaid latch member between a latched .position .and an unlatched position, a detentmembenpivotally supported on said frame structure .for :movement between latch holding and latch released positions, spring means for urging said detent member toward said latch holding position, said latch element member having .a latching abutment portion and said detent member having a coacting latch holding abutment portion, said abutment portions of said latch element member and said detent member being =in'engagement when said detent is in said latch holding position, :a stop face 'on said latch element member and a coacting stop face on said detent member, said stop faces being positioned to contact each other-and limit movement of said detent :memb'er .in latch holding direction when said-detentmember is moved intosaid atch holdingpositionby said spring means, one of said stop :face carrying'membersbeing notched to provide a resilient finger-like portion on which its stop face is disposed, saidfinger-like portion having an in- :herent resistance to flexing whereby-said gap re- ;ma'ins open whensaid stop faces-are brought into contact and said detent member is moved into latch holding relation to said latch element .memher by saidspringmeans.

2. Latch-mechanism as in'claim -1iin which the finger-like portion :is .an integral part of the detent-member.

13. Latch mechanism as in claim .1 in which the finger-like portion is an integral part of the latch element member.

'4. .A :latch mechanism including a frame structure, a latch-member pivotally supported on -said frame structure, a latch element member .supported for movement with said latchmember'be- :tween a latched position and an unlatched position, .a detent member pivotally supported on said frame structure for movement between latch holding and latch released positions, spring means for urging said detent member toward said latch holding position, said latch element :member having a latching abutment portionand said detent member .having a coacting latch holding abutment portion, said abutment portions of'said latch element :member and said detentmember being in engagement when said-deface on said detent member, said stop faces being positioned to contact each other and limit movement of said detent member in latch holdind direction when said detent member is moved intosaid latch holding position by said spring means, one of said stop face carrying members having a body portion and being notched to provide a resilient finger-like portion on which its stop face is disposed, said finger-like portion being spaced from said body portion by a gap at least a portion of which is of uniform Width, said finger-like portion being of greater width than the width of said gap at said uniform width portion thereof and having an inherent resistance to flexing whereby said uniform width portion of said gap remains open when said stop faces are brought into contact and said detent member is moved into latch holding relation to said latch element member by said spring means.

5. A latch mechanism including a frame structure, a latch member pivotally supported on said frame structure, a latch element member supported for movement with said latch member between a latched position and an unlatched position, a detent member pivotally supported on said frame structure for movement between latch holding and latch released positions, spring means for urging said detent member toward said latch holding position, said latch element member having a, latching abutment portion and said detent member having a coacting latch holding abutment portion, said abutment portions of said latch element member and said detent member being in engagement when said detent is in said latch holding position, a stop face on said latch element member and a coacting stop face on said detent member, said step faces being spaced from the abutment portions on their respective members and positioned tocontact each other and limit movement of said detent member in latch holding direction when said detent member is moved into said latch holding position by said spring means, one of said stop face carrying members having a body portion and being notched to provide a resilient finger-like portion on which its stop face is disposed, said finger-like portion being spaced from said body portion by a gap at least a portion of which is of uniform width, said one of said stop faces on said finger-like portion extending along an outer surface thereof in the same general direction as said gap, said finger-like portion being of greater width than the width of said gap at said uniform width portion thereof and having an inherent resistance to flexing whereby said uniform width portion of said gap remains open when said stop faces are brought into contact and said detent member is moved into latch holding relation to said latch element member by said spring means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 791,317 Campbell May 30, 1905 2,156,874 Schonitzer May 2, 1939 2,353,999 Counts July 18, 1944 2,481,213 Gummersall Sept. 6, 1949 2,538,913 Roethel Jan. 23, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 313,870 Germany July 31, 1919 

